Walking with a four wheeled walker (rollator) significantly reduces EMG lower-limb muscle activity in healthy subjects

summary Objective To investigate the immediate effect of four-wheeled- walker(rollator)walking on lower-limb muscle activity and trunk-sway in healthy subjects. Methods In this cross-sectional design electromyographic (EMG) data was collected in six lower-limb muscle groups and trunk-sway was measur...

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Veröffentlicht in:Journal of bodywork and movement therapies 2016-01, Vol.20 (1), p.65-73
Hauptverfasser: Suica, Zorica, PT, MSc, Romkes, Jacqueline, PhD, Tal, Amir, PT, PhD, Maguire, Clare, PT, MSc, cand. PhD
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Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:summary Objective To investigate the immediate effect of four-wheeled- walker(rollator)walking on lower-limb muscle activity and trunk-sway in healthy subjects. Methods In this cross-sectional design electromyographic (EMG) data was collected in six lower-limb muscle groups and trunk-sway was measured as peak-to-peak angular displacement of the centre-of-mass (level L2/3) in the sagittal and frontal-planes using the SwayStar balance system. 19 subjects walked at self-selected speed firstly without a rollator then in randomised order 1. with rollator 2. with rollator with increased weight-bearing. Results Rollator-walking caused statistically significant reductions in EMG activity in lower-limb muscle groups and effect-sizes were medium to large. Increased weight-bearing increased the effect. Trunk-sway in the sagittal and frontal-planes showed no statistically significant difference between conditions. Conclusion Rollator-walking reduces lower-limb muscle activity but trunk-sway remains unchanged as stability is likely gained through forces generated by the upper-limbs. Short-term stability is gained but the long-term effect is unclear and requires investigation.
ISSN:1360-8592
1532-9283
DOI:10.1016/j.jbmt.2015.06.002